Trend Naija

US forces struck an Iranian air defence site on Friday, 6 November 2026, the second round of American strikes on Iran in a week.

What happened

President Donald Trump told reporters the operation was minor, saying Iran had built an anti-aircraft device and US forces destroyed it in a matter of minutes. He insisted the United States was not at war with Iran, pointing to the absence of recent US casualties. Iranian state media reported two explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, close to the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for the world's oil shipments. Earlier in the week, on Monday, US forces carried out strikes that Washington described as defensive, with explosions reported on the islands of Qeshm and Hengam and near the naval hub of Bandar Abbas.

Reward offer

Hours before Friday's strike, the US State Department offered up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran's nuclear programme, including its scientists, technology and the organisations involved.

Talks

Trump said Washington remained in contact with Tehran. Regional officials said Iran was considering new proposals brokered by Qatar to ease tensions, but that it would not negotiate over its nuclear programme until the US met several conditions, including lifting sanctions and ending a blockade of Iranian ports.

Why it matters

Trump acknowledged that the conflict had contributed to his party's losses in this week's midterm elections, partly because it pushed up petrol prices. Tensions in the Gulf can also affect global oil prices, which matter for Nigeria's revenue and fuel costs.

Paraguay's President Santiago Peña has been removed from office by the Senate and placed under house arrest over the collapse of Ueno Bank.

What happened

On Friday, 6 November 2026, all 44 senators present, including members of Peña's own Colorado Party, voted to remove him; one senator was absent. He was arrested minutes after the vote, and Vice-President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as interim president, expected to serve until 2028. Peña had offered to resign on Thursday, but senators went ahead with the impeachment, which strips him of the immunity normally enjoyed by former presidents. Senate President Basilio Núñez said Peña had been found guilty of dereliction of duty.

The allegations

The impeachment charges included conflicts of interest, manipulation of regulatory oversight, diversion of pension funds and involvement in a cover-up involving the central bank. Peña, who until last year held shares in the company that owned Ueno Bank, has denied wrongdoing. Prosecutors said he was due to be questioned.

Background

The collapse of Ueno Bank left large numbers of Paraguayans unable to access their savings and pensions, triggering a political crisis. Peña, an economist and former finance minister, took office in August 2023. Earlier this week, he apologised to Paraguayans in a video message.

What happens next

Investigators are expected to continue their inquiries into the bank's collapse, while depositors wait to learn whether they will recover their money.

The Lagos State Police Command has detained an officer after a shooting in Ajegunle left a two-year-old girl dead and another girl injured.

What happened

The shooting happened between 9.30pm and 10pm on Thursday, 5 November 2026, in the Nosamu area of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area. In a statement on Saturday, police spokesperson SP Abimbola Adebisi said the officer, an assistant superintendent attached to Ajeromi Police Station, had been disarmed and detained, and that the State Criminal Investigation Department had taken over the case.

Police account

According to the police, preliminary findings showed that the officer and his team were responding to a distress call about a violent clash between two groups said to be fighting over toll collection and armed with cutlasses and other weapons. The officer discharged his firearm during the operation, and the bullet struck both girls. Police said the injured girl was receiving treatment and was in a stable condition. Initial reports suggested the officer may have been drunk, but the police statement did not confirm this.

Family's grief

The mother of the girl who died has publicly mourned her daughter in a video shared online.

Background

Killings of civilians by police officers, often involving the misuse of firearms, have long caused public anger in Nigeria and were among the issues behind the 2020 #EndSARS protests. This week, the Police Service Commission dismissed three senior officers and demoted 16 others over misconduct.

What happens next

The police said the investigation would determine further action against the officer.

Rotimi Amaechi, the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for 2027, says former President Muhammadu Buhari promised to back him as his preferred candidate at the 2022 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary.

What he said

Speaking in a radio interview in Lagos on Friday, 6 November 2026, Amaechi said Buhari had given him the assurance in writing. Because of it, he said, he held back from campaigning, lobbying delegates or making political deals before the primary, which he now considers his biggest mistake. He said his refusal to promise positions such as the vice-presidency and the post of Secretary to the Government of the Federation to governors cost him support.

Claims about religion

Amaechi also accused President Bola Tinubu's camp of appealing to religious identity to win Northern delegates, alleging that a delegation of Muslim politicians from the South-West urged governors in the North-West to back Tinubu on religious grounds. He said he would never use religion to win an election. Tinubu's camp had not responded to the claims at the time of writing.

Background

Tinubu won the June 2022 APC primary at Eagle Square in Abuja with 1,271 votes to Amaechi's 316, and went on to win the 2023 presidential election. Amaechi, a former Rivers governor, directed Buhari's successful 2015 campaign and served as his Minister of Transportation. Buhari, who died in 2025, did not publicly endorse any aspirant at the primary. Amaechi is now Atiku Abubakar's running mate, though a recent court judgment voided Atiku's nomination, a ruling the ADC has appealed.

President Bola Tinubu has defended his removal of the fuel subsidy, saying the naira would have become worthless if his government had kept it.

What he said

Speaking at a state reception in his honour in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, 6 November 2026, after an APC rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Tinubu said 27 of the 36 state governors could not pay salaries when he took office, let alone pensions and gratuities. He argued that his reforms had moved the country away from the risk of bankruptcy, and said that without them Nigerians would by now need wheelbarrows to carry their money. He put the exchange rate at about ₦1,300 to the US dollar and said Nigeria would never go back to the subsidy.

The visit

The reception followed a day in which the President inaugurated several projects in Akwa Ibom, including a new terminal at Victor Attah International Airport, and approved a request by Governor Umo Eno for the Ibom Deep Seaport. Vice-President Kashim Shettima used the same visit to criticise NDC candidate Peter Obi.

Background

Tinubu announced the end of the petrol subsidy in his inauguration speech in May 2023, and his government also unified the exchange rate. The reforms led to sharp rises in fuel and food prices. Opposition candidates, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have criticised the way the reforms were carried out, while the government says they were needed to save the economy and has introduced relief measures such as the ₦50,000 monthly grant to selected households.

Why it matters

The cost of living is expected to be one of the main issues in the January 2027 election.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has spoken about how he survived imprisonment under the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha.

What he said

Speaking in Yoruba at a book event at the University of Ibadan, in a video shared on Saturday, 7 November 2026, Obasanjo said Abacha had decided to kill him along with the late General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua and Chief MKO Abiola, the acknowledged winner of the annulled 12 June 1993 presidential election. He said Abacha had confided the plan to the late Ibadan philanthropist Chief Alao Arisekola.

Foreign intervention

Obasanjo said former US President Jimmy Carter travelled to Nigeria and spoke to Abacha on his behalf, while former British prime minister James Callaghan went further, warning Abacha that he would face death himself if he went ahead. Obasanjo also said prayer played a central role in his survival, describing himself as a committed prayer warrior in detention.

Background

Obasanjo, a former military head of state, was jailed in 1995 over an alleged coup plot, which he always denied. Yar'Adua died in detention in 1997, and Abiola died in custody in July 1998, a month after Abacha's own death. Obasanjo was released after Abacha died and was elected president in 1999, serving two terms. At the same event, he also warned against sending children into armed conflict, drawing on his experience in the civil war.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is set to undergo knee surgery, ruling him out of Nigeria's upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Tanzania.

What happened

Galatasaray announced on Friday, 6 November 2026, that the 27-year-old needs arthroscopic surgery after medical checks found a loose body in his left knee. The problem was discovered after he played the full 90 minutes of the Turkish club's 2-0 Champions League win over VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday. The club said its doctor, Yener İnce, would carry out the operation at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul on Saturday, 7 November.

How long he could be out

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small cuts and a camera to treat problems inside a joint. According to reports, Osimhen is expected to be out for two to four weeks, which could mean a return in early to mid-December if there are no setbacks. Galatasaray have not given an official timeline and say they will assess his recovery in stages.

Blow for the Super Eagles

The injury is a major blow for Nigeria, who face Tanzania twice in AFCON qualifying, including the match in Uyo on 13 November. Osimhen is the Super Eagles' main striker and one of Africa's most prolific forwards and was African Player of the Year in 2023. He was recently left off the shortlist for this year's CAF Player of the Year award.

Squad named

On Saturday, Galatasaray said the operation had been successful and that Osimhen would be out for at least three weeks. Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle then named a 24-man squad for the two Tanzania matches without Osimhen. Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was also left out by the coach's choice, with Stanley Nwabali, Arthur Okonkwo and the recalled Francis Uzoho named in goal. Midfielder Frank Onyeka was dropped, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi and Yusuf Alhassan return. Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey are among those included.

Background

Osimhen joined Galatasaray from Napoli and has been in strong form, with reports this week suggesting that a top Italian club is interested in signing him. His absence means the Super Eagles coaching staff will have to rely on other forwards for the Tanzania double-header.

A video from the dedication of Pastor David Ibiyeomie's 120,000-seat Hand of God Cathedral in Port Harcourt has sparked debate online, after a member of Pastor Jerry Eze's security team was seen reacting roughly to a worshipper.

What the video shows

The footage, shared on Facebook on Friday, 6 November 2026, shows the founder of Streams of Joy International arriving at the event. A man dropped to his knees as a sign of respect as the cleric walked past, and Pastor Eze briefly acknowledged him. However, one of his protocol officers then reportedly acted towards the man in a way many viewers felt was unnecessarily aggressive and disrespectful.

Background

The dedication of the Hand of God Cathedral, led by Bishop David Oyedepo, drew many of Nigeria's best-known pastors. Another widely shared video from the same event showed Jerry Eze kneeling to greet Oyedepo, Ibiyeomie and other senior ministers. Eze is known for his popular online prayer programme, 'New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations', which draws large audiences on YouTube and social media.

How people reacted

Many Nigerians criticised the protocol officer's behaviour, saying it was out of place at a celebratory religious event and that church leaders' security teams should treat members of the public with respect. Pastor Eze had not publicly commented at the time of writing.

Nigeria's under-17 women's team, the Flamingos, will face Japan in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, 7 November 2026.

The match

The final is at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, with kick-off set for 7.30pm Nigerian time. It will be the first time the two countries have met at this tournament. Flamingos captain Harmony Chidi said the players are determined to bring Nigeria its first world title at this level and make the country proud.

Road to the final

The Flamingos became the first African team ever to reach the final of the competition after beating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final on Wednesday. After a goalless first half, Queen Joseph opened the scoring in the 56th minute, and Awawu Bashiru scored twice, in the 71st and 80th minutes, before Brazil pulled one back late on. Nigeria's previous best was third place in 2022, when they beat Germany in the bronze medal match. Ghana also finished third in 2012.

Japan's record

Japan are one of the strongest teams in youth women's football. They won the tournament in 2014, beating Spain in the final, and were runners-up in 2010 and 2016. At under-20 level, Japan beat Nigeria 2-1 in the bronze medal match of the 2012 U-20 Women's World Cup and won 6-0 when the two met in the group stage in 2016.

Praise from CAF and FIFA

CAF president Patrice Motsepe congratulated the Flamingos, saying they had made Africa proud, and confirmed he would travel to Rabat to watch the final in person. FIFA also congratulated the team on the historic achievement.

What's at stake

Victory would give Nigeria its first FIFA world title in women's football at any level and make the Flamingos the first African side to win the competition.

A youth group from Nigeria's Middle Belt has declared support for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid, after backing Peter Obi in 2023.

What was announced

Aviation businessman Isaac Balami, who convenes the National Rebirth Movement and is also a national director in the pro-Tinubu City Boy Movement, said in remarks reported on Saturday, 7 November 2026, that the initiative was inspired by a recent meeting between the President and a delegation of Middle Belt elders led by former defence minister General Theophilus Danjuma. He said the youths had listened to their elders and decided to take responsibility for the region's political future. Balami said he had earlier led the group to meet the President's son, Seyi Tinubu, where they pledged 10 million votes from the Middle Belt.

A change of side

In 2023, Balami and the same group had reportedly been asked by some of the same elders to mobilise support for Obi, then the Labour Party candidate, who performed strongly in Plateau and Nasarawa states and drew large youth support across the North Central zone. Balami said a sense of abandonment after that election led to the change. The group says it will work with the City Boy Movement and the APC campaign council.

Background

Obi is now the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), with Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. Both the APC and the opposition parties are campaigning hard in the North Central, which is seen as a key battleground. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Reactions

Obi's campaign had not publicly responded at the time of writing. The 10 million figure is a pledge and cannot be independently verified.

Germany says it will expand visa processing in Nigeria to make it easier for Nigerians to travel to the country.

What was announced

Speaking at the German National Day reception in Lagos, reported on Friday, 6 November 2026, Consul General Daniel Krull said the consulate would add more visa counters before the end of the year and work with external service providers to increase the number of appointment slots. He said Germany was also moving more applications to a dedicated processing centre in Germany to reduce delays.

Help for students

Krull said a document verification centre would be set up in Lagos to check the documents of Nigerians applying to German universities and research institutions. He noted that German public universities generally charge little or no tuition fees, making them an affordable option for international students.

A priority partner

Krull described Nigeria as Germany's most important trading partner in West Africa and a priority partner in the region, pointing to recent visits by German officials and business delegations.

Background

Long waits for visa appointments have been a major complaint among Nigerians applying to European countries, and Germany has become an increasingly popular destination for Nigerian students and skilled workers, partly because of low tuition fees and labour shortages in sectors such as health care. The announcement contrasts with some other countries that have recently tightened rules for Nigerian travellers.

What happens next

No dates were given for when the new centre will open.

The US Secret Service has arrested a man near the White House after he allegedly told agents that voices in his head had instructed him to travel to Washington and kill President Donald Trump.

What happened

According to US officials, agents spotted the man behaving suspiciously in a car parked beside the White House on Thursday, 5 November 2026. During questioning, he allegedly said voices had directed him to come to the capital and assassinate the President. Agents found that the car had been reported stolen, and a search turned up a rifle, two handguns and dozens of rounds of ammunition.

The suspect

The Department of Homeland Security said the man is a Venezuelan national who entered the United States illegally in 2024. He has been charged with several firearms offences, as well as unauthorised use of a vehicle and receiving stolen property, and is being held by the US Marshals Service. He has not yet been tried.

Secret Service comments

Secret Service Director Sean Curran said the arrest showed the kind of security environment his agents deal with every day. Officials said the White House has seen a significant rise in incidents linked to mental health problems, as the presidency often becomes a focus for people experiencing such conditions.

Background

Trump survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 election campaign. The arrest came in the same week that the President's party suffered heavy losses in the midterm elections and he named Stephen Miller as his new chief of staff.

Nollywood actor Kunle Afod has called for better emergency services on Nigeria's highways after witnessing a serious accident on the Ibadan–Sagamu Expressway.

What he said

In a video shared on social media on Saturday, 7 November 2026, the actor said he and others saw a terrible crash on the busy road, and that for about 20 minutes no ambulance or emergency responders came to help the victims. He described the situation as very sad and urged the relevant authorities to take urgent action so that accident victims receive timely medical help. He did not give details of how many people were involved or their condition.

Background

The Lagos–Ibadan and Ibadan–Sagamu corridors are among the busiest roads in the country, and crashes are common. The Federal Road Safety Corps and state emergency agencies run ambulance services on some highways, but road users often complain that help arrives late, especially outside major cities. Afod has also been in the news this week after speaking publicly for the first time about his separation from his wife, Desola.

Group disputes his account

On Saturday, a group called Ogun Crime Watch asked the police to question the actor over the video, which it described as misleading. The group said the crash, involving an 18-seater bus that reportedly burst a tyre and hit a concrete barrier near Saapade, happened on Friday, and that Ogun State emergency responders arrived at 12.28pm, one minute before Afod reportedly posted his video. It said 13 passengers were injured and taken to hospital, and accused the video of trying to make the state government look bad. Afod had not responded to the group's claims at the time of writing.

How people reacted

Many social media users agreed with the actor, saying faster emergency response could save lives, while others criticised the government for spending heavily on election campaigns while basic emergency services remain poor.

US President Donald Trump has appointed Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles following the Republican Party's heavy losses in this week's midterm elections.

What happened

A White House official said Wiles resigned on Thursday night, and Trump announced the change on his Truth Social platform, describing Miller as one of his most trusted advisers. He said Wiles would move to his political operation and thanked her for her service. Asked by reporters on Friday, 6 November 2026, why he had made the change, Trump said he wanted to make a change. Before the elections, he had repeatedly said there was no chance he would replace Wiles.

Who is Stephen Miller

Miller, 41, has been one of the most influential figures in Trump's administrations, serving as deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser. He played a central role in designing the mass deportation programme that became a defining policy of Trump's second term, which has drawn protests and legal challenges, including over the conduct of immigration agents.

Democrats react

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described Miller as the architect of the administration's harshest policies, said Trump could not have made a worse choice, and promised that the new Democratic majorities in Congress would fight him every step of the way.

Background

In the midterm elections on 3 November, the Democrats were projected to win control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, a result that is expected to make it much harder for Trump to pass legislation in the last two years of his term. Wiles, who ran Trump's 2024 campaign, was the first woman to serve as White House chief of staff.

R&B stars Usher and Chris Brown reportedly had an argument backstage before their concert in Atlanta on Thursday night, 5 November 2026, which contributed to a delay of almost three hours.

What happened

According to reports citing people close to the tour, the disagreement was about whether to start the show while many fans were still stuck in heavy traffic around the venue. Usher reportedly wanted to go ahead, while Brown preferred to wait until more concertgoers had reached their seats. The two are said to have exchanged words, with one source describing them as highly competitive throughout their joint tour and blaming the clash on egos.

Tour to continue

The sources reportedly said the two had not settled their differences, but did not believe the row threatened the rest of the tour. The pair were scheduled to perform in Atlanta again on Friday night. Some fans complained online about the long wait before the show began.

Background

Usher and Chris Brown are two of the biggest names in R&B and have collaborated in the past. The two reportedly had a confrontation at Brown's birthday party in 2023, when Usher was said to have stepped in after Brown began shouting at singer Teyana Taylor. Neither singer had publicly commented on the latest reports at the time of writing.

Why it matters

Both artists have large fan bases in Nigeria, and Chris Brown has strong links with Nigerian stars, having worked with Davido and other Afrobeats acts.

The national working committee (NWC) of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) has placed its national chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, on interim suspension.

The allegations

In a notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), signed by national secretary Victor Fingesi and reported on Friday, 6 November 2026, the party accused Sani of forging party documents, gaining unauthorised access to and manipulating its candidate nomination portal, and behaving in ways that could damage the party's image. The party said it had already complained to INEC on 19 October about suspected irregularities in the uploading of its governorship candidates for Ogun, Enugu and Niger states. It also alleged that the management of the party's accounts had not been transparent, including money from the sale of nomination forms. None of the allegations has been tested in court.

Endorsing Atiku

The party also pointed to a television appearance on 30 August 2026 in which, it said, Sani described the ADP's own presidential candidate, Aliyu Ibn Abbas, as unserious and openly endorsed Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying Atiku was the only candidate who provided money for campaign activities.

How it happened

The decision was reportedly taken at an NWC meeting in Abuja. The motion was moved by the party's national legal adviser and passed by a majority of members present. Sani is barred from acting as chairman pending a full investigation and a review by the party's national executive committee.

Background

Sani has led the ADP for several years. He had not publicly responded to the suspension at the time of writing. The move comes as the ADC itself faces a court ruling that removed its national leadership and voided Atiku's nomination, which the party has appealed.

A Federal High Court in Ibadan has ordered that two Mexican nationals and four Nigerians be held in custody over an alleged methamphetamine laboratory in Oyo State.

The charges

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said in a statement on Friday, 6 November 2026, that the six were arraigned on four counts relating to the alleged unlawful transportation and distribution of chemicals meant for making methamphetamine. The laboratory was allegedly located in a forest in Tapa village, Ibarapa North Local Government Area. All six pleaded not guilty, and the judge ordered that they be remanded at a correctional centre in Ibadan.

The arrests

According to the NDLEA, one of the Mexicans and the four Nigerians were arrested on 17 June 2026, while the second Mexican was arrested on 19 August at the Lagos airport, allegedly while trying to leave the country. The agency had earlier alleged that one of the Mexicans was brought into Nigeria to provide technical expertise for large-scale production, while the Nigerian suspects handled logistics and local operations. The allegations are yet to be tested at trial.

Background

Methamphetamine, popularly known in Nigeria as 'mkpuru mmiri' or 'ice', has become a serious public health concern, especially in the South-East. The NDLEA has in recent years uncovered several laboratories it says were set up with the help of foreign experts. In September, the agency said it had discovered an industrial-scale methamphetamine laboratory in Ebonyi State.

Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has set social media buzzing after a rare public appearance at Lagos Fashion Week.

What happened

Photos shared on Friday, 6 November 2026, showed the actress, who has kept a low profile in recent years, wearing a dress from the Nigerian label Orire's new spring/summer 2027 collection, taken straight from the runway. The pictures were shared by celebrity stylist and designer Veronica Odeka.

Stars react

Several Nollywood stars flooded the comments with praise. Actress Erica Nlewedim joked that the photos explained why everywhere suddenly felt so hot, while actor Steve Chuks also left a widely shared reaction. Fans also added their own tributes in the comments.

Background

Genevieve Nnaji rose to fame in the late 1990s and became one of Nollywood's biggest stars. In 2018 she directed 'Lionheart', which became the first Netflix original film from Nigeria. She has largely stepped away from the spotlight since then, which is why her occasional appearances attract so much attention. Lagos Fashion Week is one of Africa's biggest fashion events, and this year's edition has also featured Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu walking the runway.

Kenyan preacher Paul Nthenge Mackenzie has reportedly been sentenced to 200 years in prison over the deaths of 191 members of his Good News International Church, including 190 children, in one of the most disturbing religious tragedies in Kenya's history.

The sentence

The Mombasa High Court handed down the sentence on Friday, 6 November 2026, following its ruling on 19 October in which Mackenzie and 28 other defendants were found guilty. The prosecution had earlier asked the court to impose the death penalty.

What happened in Shakahola

According to the prosecution, between 2021 and 2023 Mackenzie gathered his followers on a 325-hectare property in the Shakahola Forest, near the coastal town of Malindi in south-eastern Kenya.

There, he convinced them that starving themselves to death would allow them to meet Jesus.

Imagine the level of trust these families must have placed in their religious leader. Parents, children and entire households were drawn into a belief system that eventually turned deadly.

During the trial, the defence argued that the children had taken part in the fasting voluntarily. The judge rejected that argument.

How the tragedy came to light

The case first drew international attention in April 2023, when authorities discovered the first bodies buried in the forest.

What first looked like an isolated discovery soon turned into something far more horrifying. As investigators kept searching, more graves were uncovered. Eventually, more than 400 bodies were exhumed, revealing the enormous scale of the disaster.

More than 200 witnesses testified during the proceedings. Mackenzie had been in custody since 14 April 2023, when he surrendered to authorities after the first victims were found.

The children who died

Kenya, a country where religion plays an important part in everyday life, was deeply shaken by the discoveries.

For many, the most painful part of the story is the number of children who died. These were young lives that depended on adults for protection, yet they became victims of circumstances they could neither understand nor control.

A warning about blind obedience

The case is a troubling reminder of what can happen when people give up their ability to question religious authority, and it raises serious questions about religious manipulation and the protection of vulnerable people.

Faith is deeply personal, and millions find comfort, hope and direction in religion. But when a religious leader begins demanding actions that threaten human life, the consequences can be devastating.

Over to you

How could such a tragedy continue for so long before authorities uncovered what was happening in the forest? And how far should people go in obeying religious leaders when their teachings put lives in danger?

A woman from Ukehe in Enugu State has received financial assistance from the wife of the state governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, who sent a representative to visit her with promises that could significantly improve her living conditions.

Cash, a house and a business

During the visit, the representative handed the woman an envelope containing cash on behalf of the governor's wife. But the help did not end there.

Mrs Mbah also promised to build a house for the woman and to help her set up a business that would give her a steady income, so she can take care of herself without depending on others to survive.

Photos from the visit show women celebrating with raised hands outside a building in Ukehe, and an envelope being handed over as a crowd gathers around.

Support that lasts

For someone facing difficult living conditions, a decent roof and a business that can put food on the table could make a lasting difference.

What makes the gesture stand out is the promise of long-term support. Money solves an immediate problem, but helping someone build a business can give them a livelihood for years to come.

Remembering the vulnerable

The visit has also drawn attention to the importance of identifying vulnerable people in our communities and offering help that goes beyond temporary relief.

Many Nigerians are struggling quietly, especially elderly women, widows and people without a reliable income. Sometimes what they need most is a chance to become financially independent.

For the Ukehe woman, the hope now is that the promises are fulfilled and that she soon has a comfortable home and a business of her own.

Over to you

Should more government officials focus on helping vulnerable people set up businesses, rather than giving them cash alone?

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has formally endorsed President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as its preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

What was announced

Anambra State governor Charles Soludo, the party's national leader, announced the decision in Awka on Friday, 6 November 2026, at the inauguration of APGA's national campaign for the 2027 elections, according to reports. He said the party would not field its own presidential candidate. Soludo argued that Tinubu had shown genuine care for the Igbo people, particularly people from Anambra, pointing out that the President appointed several Anambra indigenes to key positions in Lagos when he was governor of that state.

Target of 50%

Soludo acknowledged that Tinubu received only about 5,000 votes in Anambra in the 2023 presidential election, but said the President had still moved to address problems in the state and the wider South-East. He pledged to deliver half of Anambra's votes to Tinubu in 2027, describing the endorsement as a strategic move to strengthen the state's bargaining power with the federal government. He also said APGA had backed the ruling party's presidential candidate in past elections, so the decision continued that pattern.

Background

APGA is the governing party in Anambra, which is also the home state of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, a former APGA governor who won the state by a wide margin in 2023. Soludo has previously described Obi as a close family friend while declaring support for Tinubu, and he has been named a state coordinator in the President's expanded campaign council. This week the NDC's Anambra chapter set a target of 98 per cent of the state's votes for Obi.

What happens next

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027, and APGA is expected to campaign for the President alongside its own candidates for other offices.

Veteran Nollywood actor Diewait Ikpechukwu has died at the age of 71.

What happened

According to family sources, the actor died on Thursday, 5 November 2026, after a prolonged illness. News of his death was reported on Friday. Further details about the circumstances of his death had not been made public at the time of writing, and the family had not announced funeral arrangements.

His career

Before becoming an actor, Ikpechukwu was a professional footballer. He went on to have a long career in Nollywood and became a familiar face in classic Nigerian films. His film credits include 'August Meeting', 'Royal Palace', 'The Guilty', 'Across the River', 'Python King' and 'Ìjé Love', among many others.

Family asks for privacy

On Saturday, 7 November, his daughter, lifestyle influencer Chiamaka Yusuf, asked the public, the media and the Actors Guild of Nigeria to allow the family to grieve privately, saying the family wanted to make any formal announcement about his death themselves. She asked for a burial poster circulating online to be taken down.

Background

His death adds to a run of losses for Nollywood. The family of the late actor Francis Duru also recently announced burial arrangements for him.

A video of Burna Boy in conversation with veteran singer Timaya has gone viral, with fans focusing on VeryDarkMan's friend Kokopee, who was standing nearby.

What the video shows

The clip, which began circulating on Thursday, 5 November 2026, shows Burna Boy and Timaya running into each other at an event and chatting. Kokopee, widely known as the best friend of activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), is seen standing a short distance away with his arms folded, watching the exchange. Burna Boy appears not to acknowledge him. At one point Kokopee seemed to move towards Burna Boy, but a bouncer reportedly stepped in before he could get close.

Why it got attention

Burna Boy has reportedly supported VDM's charity projects, and the two have been seen as friendly, so many fans asked whether the singer had deliberately ignored Kokopee. The video comes during VDM's public feud with Davido, which has drawn in several other celebrities this week. Kokopee has also been mentioned in the feud.

How people reacted

Opinions were divided. Some fans said Burna Boy had clearly snubbed Kokopee, while others said the moment was being over-analysed and that the singer may simply not have noticed him in a busy event. Neither Burna Boy nor Kokopee had publicly commented at the time of writing.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has described himself as the foremost traditional ruler in Yorubaland.

What he said

In a television interview reported on Friday, 6 November 2026, the monarch said that, going by history and the contribution of the old Oyo Empire to Yoruba civilisation, the Alaafin is number one. He denied that he was in a contest for supremacy with any other Yoruba ruler, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi. He said he regularly prays for the progress of the Yoruba people and believes that when Oyo succeeds, all Yoruba people are honoured.

The earlier dispute

His comments follow a dispute between the two thrones in August 2025, after the Ooni conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan businessman Dotun Sanusi. The Alaafin gave the Ooni 48 hours to withdraw the title, arguing that the Ooni's authority was limited to a few local government areas in Osun State and that the title was unlawful. The Ooni's spokesman later said the monarch had told him not to respond to what he called an empty threat.

Background

The question of which monarch ranks highest in Yorubaland has been debated for many years. The Alaafin's supporters point to the power of the old Oyo Empire, while the Ooni's supporters point to Ile-Ife's place as the traditional cradle of the Yoruba people. Oba Owoade was crowned Alaafin in 2025, succeeding the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has commuted every death sentence in the state to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

What he announced

In an official letter on Thursday, 5 November 2026, Newsom said the decision affects 548 people on death row, one of the largest death row populations in the world. He said he was acting on a long-held belief that society is stronger when it rejects state-sanctioned killing. He acknowledged that many Californians believe people who commit brutal crimes deserve to die, but said he had concluded that the state cannot morally kill them.

Why all at once

Newsom said he chose a blanket commutation rather than reviewing cases one by one because trying to separate crimes and offenders would create two classes of murder victims. He said the offenders would now spend the rest of their lives in prison, and that he hoped the move would separate the memory of victims from the fate of those who harmed them.

Background

California has not carried out an execution in about two decades, although courts continued to hand down death sentences. In 2019, Newsom placed a moratorium on executions and closed the state's execution chamber. Newsom, a Democrat, is in the final months of his second term as governor and is widely seen as a possible future presidential candidate. The decision comes days after the Democrats' strong performance in the US midterm elections.

California voters rejected ballot measures to abolish the death penalty in 2012 and 2016, and Newsom's decision is likely to face criticism from supporters of capital punishment.

At least three people have reportedly died and 14 others have been taken to hospital after drinking herbal mixtures suspected to contain harmful substances in Benue State.

What happened

According to reports on Friday, 6 November 2026, three men hawking the herbal preparations sold them to residents during a market day in Oju Township, Oju Local Government Area, last weekend. A resident said panic broke out on Monday, 2 November, when several people who had taken the mixtures began showing similar symptoms. One person died on Tuesday, a second early on Wednesday and a third on Thursday. Fourteen others are being treated at the General Hospital in Oju, four of them reportedly in a critical condition.

Suspects arrested

The chairman of Oju Local Government Area, Jackson Ominyi, confirmed the incident and said the suspected sellers had been arrested and taken to the state police headquarters in Makurdi. He said three deaths had been recorded as of Thursday, but that he did not yet have a final figure. The suspects have not been charged in court, and the substances in the mixtures have not been officially identified.

Background

Unregulated herbal mixtures are widely sold in markets and on the streets across Nigeria, often with claims that they cure many illnesses. Health authorities, including the food and drug regulator NAFDAC, have repeatedly warned Nigerians against buying unregistered medicines from hawkers.

What happens next

Residents are urging the authorities to investigate and to stop the sale of unregulated herbal products in the area.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a request linked to the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport, announcing the decision while addressing supporters at his presidential campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

"I look, and I approve it"

Speaking from the podium, flanked by party leaders and security officials, Tinubu told the crowd that the state's leadership had brought a request to him.

"Now your leader makes a request, for international export status. I look, and I approve it," he said, to cheers from supporters.

The Ibom Deep Seaport has been one of Akwa Ibom's biggest ambitions for years, with successive state governments pushing for it as a way to open the state to international trade and create jobs.

Promises of jobs and skills

Tinubu also used the occasion to make several promises about the state's economic future.

"I promise you skill development. I promise you jobs," he said. "We are going to plant a lot of economic trees."

He pointed to the palm tree, a major part of the region's economy, as an opportunity. "There is no reason why we cannot use the value of palm trees and the palm here," he said, adding that there was no reason the country could not create skills development that is "everlasting".

"Development must be even"

The President said growth must reach every part of the country. "Development must be even, inclusive and reasonable. It must bring progress and create economic value," he said.

What it means

If the approval leads to real progress on the seaport, it could be a major boost for Akwa Ibom's economy, bringing shipping, logistics and related businesses to the state.

But campaign promises are easy to make at rallies. Nigerians will be watching to see whether the approval is followed by funding, construction and the jobs that have been promised.

Over to you

Is Tinubu's approval of the Ibom Deep Seaport request a genuine step forward for Akwa Ibom, or just another campaign promise ahead of 2027?

It was an emotional scene at the Trade Fair International Market in Lagos as former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate and Labour Party candidate in the 2023 election, arrived to pay his last respects to the late Chief Sir Okey Ezibe, popularly known as Omeluora.

Chief Ezibe, widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of the famous Balogun Market in Lagos, was honoured by traders, associates, friends and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate his life and his contribution to commerce.

"My leader! My leader!"

Something remarkable happened when Obi arrived. The atmosphere suddenly changed. Traders stepped away from their businesses, and a large crowd gathered around him, cheering and calling out, "My leader! My leader!"

Many raised their phones to capture the moment, while members of his team, wearing T-shirts printed with "Rest in Peace Omeluora", waved to the crowd from his car.

For those watching, the reception was another reminder of the strong support Obi continues to enjoy among sections of the trading community, particularly in Lagos. He had come for a solemn occasion, yet his presence drew the kind of attention usually seen at major political gatherings.

Who was Chief Okey Ezibe (Omeluora)?

To many traders, the late Chief Sir Okey Ezibe was more than a successful businessman. He was a respected figure whose contributions helped shape the business community around Balogun Market, one of Nigeria's busiest commercial centres.

For years, Balogun Market has provided opportunities for thousands of traders, importers, wholesalers and small business owners. People like Omeluora are remembered for building business networks, encouraging younger entrepreneurs and strengthening the trading community. His passing marks the loss of a respected figure in that community.

Obi's reception gets people talking

Despite the disagreements and controversies that surround Nigerian politics, Obi still draws enthusiastic crowds in parts of the country, and the scenes at Trade Fair appeared to reflect that connection.

Some will see the reception as a sign of his political popularity ahead of the 2027 general election. Others may simply see it as a warm welcome for a familiar public figure attending the funeral of a respected businessman.

Whatever the interpretation, the excitement around his arrival became one of the memorable moments of the day.

Remembering Omeluora

Beyond the cheers and the political talk, the gathering was ultimately about remembering Chief Okey Ezibe and the legacy he left behind.

A man can build wealth, businesses and influence in his lifetime, but what people say about him after his death often tells another story. For Omeluora, the respect shown by the trading community speaks to the place he held in their lives.

Rest in peace, Omeluora. A great iroko has fallen. His name will continue to be remembered among those who helped commerce grow in Lagos.

Over to you

Is the reception Peter Obi received at Lagos Trade Fair another sign of his political strength ahead of 2027, or was it simply a show of respect from traders? Share your thoughts.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has ruined his own chances in the 2027 election.

What he said

Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, 6 November 2026, Shettima reportedly said Obi had run himself out of the race through what he called lies and bogus statistics. He suggested that Obi had recently travelled abroad quietly before returning to Nigeria, and that he had thrown away the goodwill he once enjoyed among voters. The vice-president also mocked Obi's frequent comparisons between Nigeria and Bangladesh, saying a shirt made for one country cannot fit another, and dismissed Obi's claim that he won the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu in Akwa Ibom

Before the rally, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated several projects built by Governor Umo Eno's administration, including the new terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo. Tinubu described the visit as a homecoming, praised Eno as a visionary leader, and said the airport's international flight status was the result of the governor's commitment to the state. The President also took a swipe at Obi at the event over erosion in Anambra State.

Background

Obi, a former Anambra governor, came third in the 2023 presidential election and challenged the result in court, insisting he won. He is running again in 2027 with Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027. Obi's campaign had not publicly responded to Shettima's remarks at the time of writing.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned of an alleged plot to threaten, intimidate and abduct temporary election workers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

What INEC said

Speaking in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday, 6 November 2026, during a North Central zonal readiness assessment, INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan said intelligence-led operations carried out with the Department of State Services (DSS) had led to the arrest of key suspects, who have since been charged in court. He warned that anyone who interferes with or harms election workers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He did not give details of the suspects or the charges.

Warning to staff

Amupitan also warned electoral officers against negligence and political bias, saying neutrality at local level would directly affect public trust in the elections. He said credible elections cannot be achieved through last-minute arrangements, and that INEC is working with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to tackle threats early.

Background

INEC expects to manage more than 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units in 2027. The commission relies on hundreds of thousands of ad hoc staff, many of them members of the National Youth Service Corps, to run polling units, and attacks on election workers and offices have been a concern in past elections. This week INEC has also faced questions about about 1.5 million questionable entries found in the voter register, and disowned a fake poster about the ADC's leadership.

What happens next

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027.

Nigeria's external debt reached about $145.0 billion in 2025, according to the World Bank's International Debt Report 2026.

The figures

According to reports on Friday, 6 November 2026, the total was 6.6 per cent higher than the year before and about 74 per cent higher than the $83.2 billion recorded in 2015. Public and publicly guaranteed debt made up about $62.4 billion of the total, private debt without government guarantees about $54.5 billion, and short-term debt about $28.1 billion. Multilateral lenders were the biggest creditors of the government, at about $31.4 billion, including about $18.5 billion owed to the World Bank's International Development Association. China remained Nigeria's largest single-country lender, owed about $5.7 billion.

Burden of repayments

Some measures of the debt burden improved: external debt fell to 212 per cent of export earnings and to 51 per cent of gross national income. But debt service took a bigger share of income, rising to 19 per cent of exports and 5 per cent of gross national income.

The global picture

The World Bank said debt service payments by low- and middle-income countries reached $1.4 trillion in 2025, the fifth yearly rise in a row, driven largely by payments to private lenders such as bondholders. It noted that loans from official lenders carried an average interest rate of 1.9 per cent, compared with 9.6 per cent from private creditors.

Why it matters

The figures come as President Bola Tinubu seeks Senate approval for new external borrowing of about $7.7 billion, a request opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, have urged lawmakers to reject. The government says borrowing is needed to fund infrastructure and that its reforms are improving the economy.

Uzbekistan has reportedly introduced temporary restrictions on visas and entry for Nigerian citizens.

What was announced

The restrictions came to light through a notice published on the website of the Green Energy Technologies Central Asia exhibition, reported on Friday, 6 November 2026. The notice said temporary restrictions had been introduced on issuing visas and on entry into Uzbekistan for citizens of the affected countries. It advised Nigerians who need to travel in exceptional circumstances to contact the consular section of the Uzbek embassy. Similar measures were reportedly listed for citizens of Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Iraq and Bangladesh.

No official explanation

Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued a public statement explaining the reasons for the restrictions or how long they will last, and its main visa portal does not mention them. The Nigerian government had not publicly reacted at the time of writing.

Background

Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic in Central Asia, has been trying to attract more tourists and investors in recent years. Nigerians already face strict visa requirements for many countries, and travel restrictions affecting Nigerian passport holders often spark debate at home about the country's image abroad.

What it means for travellers

Nigerians planning trips to Uzbekistan, including for business events, are advised to check with the Uzbek embassy before making travel arrangements.

Gunmen have reportedly abducted 10 passengers travelling on the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan road in Ogun State and are demanding ₦25 million for their release.

What happened

The passengers were travelling in a commercial bus when armed men stopped the vehicle shortly after it passed through Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, and took them into a nearby forest, according to reports on Friday. Two recently discharged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were said to be among the passengers; one escaped, while the other remains in captivity.

Ransom demand

A relative of one of the victims said the incident was reported at a police station in Ijebu-Ode. She said the kidnappers later contacted the family using her brother's phone, first demanding ₦20 million and then raising it to ₦25 million. The Ogun State Police Command had not publicly commented at the time of writing.

Background

Kidnapping on highways in the South-West has become a growing concern, with travellers on roads linking Ogun, Oyo and neighbouring states reporting attacks in recent years. Earlier this week, a court heard that suspects arrested over the abduction of corps members had admitted making confessional statements. Paying ransom is illegal in Nigeria, though families often say they feel they have no other choice.

What happens next

Families of the victims are calling on the police and other security agencies to rescue the passengers.

The Nigerian Army says its troops have rescued 16 kidnapped people during operations against armed groups in Niger State.

What the army said

In a statement on Friday, 6 November 2026, Captain Adebayo Samuel Adewumi of the army's 18 Brigade said the operations took place between 3 and 5 November. In the main operation on 5 November, troops acting on intelligence about armed men moving from Mashegu Local Government Area towards Rijiyan Nagwamatse in Kontagora Local Government Area set up an ambush. The army said it clashed with the group, which had abducted local residents, killed an unconfirmed number of the attackers and freed 16 victims.

Items recovered

Troops said they recovered two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, three rocket-propelled grenade bombs, 33 motorcycles, ammunition and about ₦4.1 million in cash. In a separate operation on 3 November, troops intercepted armed men moving from Kebbi State into Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State, forcing them to retreat, and recovered five motorcycles, a phone and about ₦644,000. The rescued victims received first aid and were handed over to the authorities to be reunited with their families.

Background

Niger State has suffered repeated attacks and kidnappings by armed groups. Separately, the families of Islamiyya students abducted in Rafi Local Government Area last week say the kidnappers have demanded more than ₦100 million. The army did not say whether any of those students were among the people rescued.

What happens next

The army said operations would continue across the state.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed three senior police officers and demoted 16 others following investigations into misconduct.

The decisions

In a statement reported on Friday, 6 November 2026, the commission's spokesman, Torty Kalu, said the decisions were made at a plenary session at its headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, chaired by PSC chairman Hashimu Argungu, a retired deputy inspector-general of police. Besides the dismissals and demotions, 21 officers received severe reprimands and two received ordinary reprimands. Three officers were cleared of the allegations against them, and several officers who had been suspended were reinstated.

Names not released

The commission did not name the officers or say what each had done. Argungu restated the commission's zero-tolerance stance on corruption, human rights abuses, interference in land and civil disputes, and other misconduct in the police.

Background

The PSC is the body responsible for appointing, promoting and disciplining police officers, apart from the Inspector-General. Complaints of extortion, unlawful arrests and other abuses by police officers are common in Nigeria. This week, two officers were also detained in Nasarawa State over the alleged extortion of ₦150,000 from a traveller.

A TikToker who says he was once a close friend of skit maker The Cute Abiola has gone public with complaints that the comedian abandoned him after becoming famous.

What he posted

The man, who goes by the handle Mayordona Nolan, posted a short clip on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, showing himself and Cute Abiola together in a car. He described the two of them and another friend as a close trio who supported each other through hard times, and said that two of them had since found success while he remained in a difficult situation, and the friendship had faded. He posted another throwback video of the three friends the next day.

'Not about money'

After some viewers accused him of feeling entitled, he posted a long clarification insisting that his posts had nothing to do with money or expectations of financial help.

Background

Cute Abiola, a former member of the Nigerian Navy, is one of Nigeria's best-known skit makers. The complaints came in the same week that the comedian posted videos appealing to President Bola Tinubu over power cuts and economic hardship, saying he had sold one of his cars to settle debts.

How people reacted

Reactions were divided. Some said friends who shared hard times should make an effort to stay in touch, while others said success does not create an obligation to keep every old relationship and accused the man of entitlement. Cute Abiola had not publicly responded at the time of writing.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken a swipe at former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, comparing their records on tackling environmental challenges.

What Tinubu said

Speaking in Akwa Ibom State, Tinubu accused Obi of failing to confront the serious erosion problems affecting Anambra State during his time as governor, and pointed out that Obi is now running for president under the NDC.

"Peter Obi is in one party they call NDC where he's running for president. He ran away from erosion in Anambra. He couldn't confront erosion. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean. I tamed it for you," Tinubu said.

The President appeared to be referring to efforts to reclaim and protect land along the Lagos coastline, particularly the Eko Atlantic project, which began during his time as Lagos State governor.

Can the two really be compared?

Anambra has struggled with severe gully erosion for decades, with communities losing farmland, roads and homes. Tackling it requires substantial funding, engineering work and cooperation between different levels of government.

The Eko Atlantic project, on the other hand, involved major private investment and extensive coastal engineering to reclaim land from the Atlantic Ocean.

Both involve serious environmental challenges, but their circumstances, funding arrangements and engineering requirements are quite different.

The road to 2027

As the 2027 presidential election draws closer, exchanges like this are likely to become more common, with leaders publicly questioning one another's records in office.

Nigerians may also want to look closely at the actual results of these projects and the roles played by the leaders involved.

Over to you

Does Tinubu's role in the Eko Atlantic project give him the right to question Peter Obi's record on erosion in Anambra State, or should Nigerians judge both men by their overall performance in public office?

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has sent a pointed message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting he remains determined to contest the 2027 presidential election despite the legal and political battles surrounding the race.

In a statement attributed to him, Atiku reportedly declared that he is on the ballot and that the courts cannot be used to escape the verdict of Nigerians.

A direct challenge

The message is a direct challenge to Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as political activity builds ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It also raises a familiar question about the role of the judiciary in Nigeria's elections. Court judgments, disputes over party nominations and allegations of irregularities have shaped the country's politics for years.

What is at stake

For President Tinubu, the next election will come amid continuing public debate over the cost of living, economic reforms and insecurity. Opposition politicians hope to turn those concerns into votes, while the government points to its reforms as long-term fixes.

For Atiku, getting onto the ballot will depend on party nomination processes, electoral requirements and the outcome of any legal decisions.

One thing is clear: the battle for 2027 is already taking shape, and more political confrontations are likely as the election draws closer.

Over to you

If Atiku faces Tinubu again in 2027, do you think Nigerians will vote differently from how they voted in 2023? Or will the opposition need a completely different arrangement to win?

When you look at the massive Hand of God Auditorium built by Pastor David Ibiyeomie, it is hard not to imagine something different.

What if a structure of that size, with all the money, planning, engineering and resources that went into it, were a massive factory producing goods for Nigerians and the international market?

Imagine the jobs

Just imagine the number of young Nigerians who could be employed there: engineers, technicians, machine operators, electricians, cleaners, security staff, accountants, drivers and thousands of other workers earning salaries and caring for their families.

Think about the businesses that would spring up around it. Food vendors, transport operators, suppliers and small business owners would all benefit from the economic activity.

And imagine if that factory produced the things Nigeria currently spends billions importing. It could strengthen the economy, encourage local production and create opportunities for future generations.

This is not an attack on the church

This is not an argument against Christianity, churches or places of worship. Everyone has the right to practise their religion, and religious organisations also provide jobs and contribute to society.

But Nigerians must begin to ask serious questions about our priorities as a nation.

A nation searching for jobs

Millions of young Nigerians are searching for work. Many graduates have certificates but nowhere to work. Some have spent years learning skills, yet there are few industries where they can put those skills to use.

Meanwhile, the country keeps celebrating enormous buildings without giving the same attention to factories, industries and other investments that could provide lasting employment.

Imagine if wealthy Nigerians, including religious leaders, invested more heavily in manufacturing alongside their religious projects. Imagine the difference it could make.

Prayer and production

A nation cannot pray its way into industrial development without also investing in production, skills, infrastructure and jobs.

Nigeria needs churches, yes. But it also desperately needs factories where young people can work, earn a decent living and build their future.

Over to you

If you had the money to build an auditorium as big as Pastor Ibiyeomie's Hand of God, would you build a church, or a factory that could employ thousands of Nigerians?

Nigeria's opposition politics is getting more interesting as the battle for relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections continues.

What Okonkwo said

Veteran Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has stirred another round of debate after claiming that the NDC is facing more serious problems than the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

According to Okonkwo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will still be on the ballot in the 2027 presidential election.

"NDC is facing more problems than ADC. Atiku Abubakar will be on the ballot," he said.

An interesting twist

Okonkwo is making this prediction at a time when the leadership of his own party, the ADC, is facing a major legal setback after a Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the emergence of its national chairman and the actions taken under his leadership.

That raises an obvious question. If his own party is battling a leadership crisis in court, how certain can anyone be about what will happen to other opposition parties before 2027?

Politics full of surprises

Nigerian politics has a way of surprising even those who believe they understand the game. Alliances can change overnight, party leaders can fall out, and court judgments can completely change the direction of an election.

For Atiku, who has contested the presidency several times, whether he will appear on the ballot again remains a major subject of discussion. Okonkwo's prediction should be understood as his political opinion rather than confirmation of Atiku's candidacy.

As 2027 approaches, Nigerians are watching closely to see whether opposition politicians will eventually unite behind a common candidate or continue to pursue separate presidential ambitions.

Over to you

Why is Kenneth Okonkwo so confident about Atiku's political future when his own party is struggling with a leadership crisis? Is he seeing something other Nigerians have not noticed, or is this another round of political calculation ahead of 2027?

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has taken another swipe at Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

What Wike said

Speaking at a town hall meeting in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Thursday, 5 November 2026, Wike reportedly said that people who wanted a president of social media should vote for Obi, but that he should not be voted for as president of Nigeria. He also mocked Obi's well-known habit of carrying his own bag, saying it did not show that he had the capacity to rule the country.

Background

Wike, a former Rivers governor, leads the Rainbow Coalition, a group of PDP and other politicians backing President Bola Tinubu's re-election in the presidential election scheduled for 16 January 2027. He has repeatedly criticised Obi in recent weeks. Obi, a former Anambra governor, has a large following among young voters, especially online, and is running with Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. Wike made the comments during a busy week in which he also spoke about Governor Siminalayi Fubara's political future and denied any role in the court ruling on the Imo West Senate ticket.

How people reacted

Obi's supporters responded angrily online, with many saying Wike could not campaign without mentioning Obi and describing the former governor's simple lifestyle as a strength. Supporters of the minister said Obi's online popularity had not translated into votes in Rivers State in the past. Obi's campaign had not publicly responded to the latest remarks at the time of writing.

Comedian and skit maker The Cute Abiola has joined Nigerians complaining about poor electricity supply and economic hardship, in videos addressed directly to President Bola Tinubu.

What he said

In one video shared online on Friday, 6 November 2026, the content creator said his solar power system had gone off because of heavy use during the long power outages in his area. He appealed to the President to help Nigerians, saying everywhere was hot, there was no light and the suffering was too much. In another video, he said he had just sold one of his cars to ease his financial situation, explaining that he owed people money and still needed funds to shoot new content. He added that he hoped things would not get to the point where he had to sell his house.

Background

Abiola, whose real name is Abdulgafar Ahmed, became popular for his comedy skits and is a former member of the Nigerian Navy. His complaints come as consumers in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Kwara and Oyo states report renewed power outages, which the federal government has blamed on gas shortages, maintenance problems and reduced hydropower generation. The government has also started paying a ₦50,000 monthly relief grant to selected households.

How people reacted

Many fans sympathised and said his videos reflected what millions of Nigerians are going through. Some critics said he had not praised the government when things were going well for him and was now blaming the President, while others said public figures should be free to speak about their struggles.

What was supposed to be a day of celebration has turned into a story of humiliation, public sympathy and unexpected kindness for Mrs Gertrude Anulika Ngwu, whose experience at her husband's Ozo title-taking ceremony has drawn wide attention on social media.

Kind-hearted Nigerians have continued to visit her, offering financial help, gifts and words of encouragement after a viral video showed her being treated in a way many viewers described as humiliating.

The viral video

The video captured an uncomfortable moment during the traditional ceremony when the children of her husband's second wife reportedly refused to spray money on her, despite repeated appeals from the master of ceremonies.

According to accounts shared alongside the footage, the children had earlier sprayed money on their biological mother. When the MC encouraged them to do the same for Mrs Anulika, they declined.

For many Nigerians who watched, it was a painful scene: a woman attending an important ceremony in her husband's life, yet appearing to be left out of a celebration in which she should have felt included and respected.

Years of mockery

The story became even more emotional following claims that Mrs Anulika had endured years of mockery over her inability to have children.

Reports online suggest she eventually moved back to her father's home after allegedly facing repeated ridicule from her co-wife and the woman's children. These allegations have not been independently verified.

Strangers show her love

Nigerians who were touched by her story have decided to show her some love. In recent days, well-wishers have visited her at her father's residence with gifts, financial support and encouragement.

Some supporters have donated hundreds of thousands of naira, while others bought her a new mobile phone. More visits are planned: one support group has announced a grand visit to her village in Ukeh, Enugu State, on Friday, 6 November 2026, with supporters from Anambra, Imo and Abia invited to meet at Ekochin Bus Stop, 9th Mile.

Perhaps that is the most touching part of this story. People who have never met Mrs Anulika are going out of their way to make her smile. Strangers who watched a few minutes of her experience online have become concerned about her welfare.

A conversation about childlessness

Her story has also reopened an important conversation about how women who struggle with childlessness are treated in some Nigerian families.

Why should a woman's value in marriage be measured by the number of children she has? Why should a woman who has spent years in a marriage be made to feel less important simply because she has not given birth?

Marriage comes with its own difficulties, but no woman deserves to be publicly ridiculed or denied basic respect because of her circumstances.

Compassion still lives

Whatever may have happened behind the scenes in this family, the incident has clearly touched a nerve. The growing support for Mrs Anulika shows that compassion still has a place in society. Even at a time when many people are struggling financially, some are willing to share what little they have to comfort someone they believe has been treated unfairly.

One can only hope the support continues beyond social media and that she finds lasting peace, dignity and happiness. To every Nigerian who has visited, donated or offered her a kind word, your gesture deserves recognition. Sometimes, all a person needs is to know that somebody cares.

Over to you

Should a woman who has no biological children be treated differently in her husband's family, especially when he marries another wife who has children? What happened to compassion, fairness and respect in our traditional family system?

What was supposed to be a peaceful political campaign reportedly took a dramatic turn when some angry youths in the crowd began throwing stones towards the stage while Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule was addressing supporters.

What happened

The incident happened during a presidential campaign rally on Thursday, 5 November 2026, and created tension at the venue as the gathering was disrupted.

Photos from the event show large stones lying on the red carpet of the stage, close to the governor's feet. In one image, a man in a suit bends to pick up one of the stones as the governor, microphone in hand, points towards the crowd, with security officers standing beside him.

Why the anger?

The exact reason for the crowd's anger remains unclear. The incident does, however, raise questions about growing frustration among sections of the population and how political leaders are being received at public gatherings.

For many Nigerians struggling with the rising cost of living, unemployment and insecurity, political promises are becoming harder to accept without visible results.

Even so, it would be premature to blame those grievances for the disturbance without hearing from the people involved.

Violence is never the answer

Whatever the reason, throwing stones at a political gathering is dangerous and should never be encouraged. People have every right to express their dissatisfaction with their leaders, but political disagreement should never turn violent.

Over to you

Are Nigerian politicians beginning to face the anger and frustration of the people they have been making promises to for years?

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has once again spoken boldly about his political influence in Rivers State, dismissing the chances of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and insisting he remains a major force in the state.

"You cannot wish me away"

According to Wike, he would only have reason to worry if Amaechi stood a realistic chance of a significant political comeback in Rivers State.

The former Rivers governor made it clear that leaving Government House in Port Harcourt has not reduced his influence or weakened the structures he built over the years.

"I am not a governor, I am a minister, but you cannot wish me away in Rivers State, because the people know what I stand for and because of the people I have raised," Wike said.

His statement appears to be a direct message to those who believe his appointment as FCT Minister has taken him away from the centre of Rivers politics.

Claims about the APC

Wike also claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had little political strength in Rivers State before he decided to support the party.

"Before I decided to support the APC, the party did not exist in Rivers State," he said.

That is a bold claim, given the long rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, who both served as governors of Rivers State at different times.

"I have killed the Obi wave"

Wike did not limit his remarks to Rivers. He also turned his attention to the movement around NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, claiming he had already weakened its influence in the FCT.

"As for the NDC, I have killed the Obi wave in the FCT," he said.

The remarks reflect Wike's confidence in his political strength, although his claims about the APC and about Obi's support remain his own assessment.

The road to 2027

With the 2027 general elections approaching, the political battle in Rivers State is expected to draw even more attention. Wike, Amaechi and other influential figures may once again find themselves on opposing sides as parties prepare for another contest.

For now, Wike is making one thing clear to his opponents: he may no longer be governor, but he has no intention of surrendering his influence in Rivers State.

Over to you

Is Wike still as politically powerful in Rivers State as he believes, or will the 2027 elections reveal a different picture?

Popular social media personality Jojooflele, widely known as the Ratel Princess, has openly expressed her appreciation for VeryDarkMan (VDM), acknowledging the role he has played in changing her life.

"If not for VDM"

Speaking from China, Jojooflele reflected on how far she has come and how her association with VDM opened doors she probably never imagined would open so soon.

"If not for VDM, I wouldn't be where I am today," she said.

According to her, things took a completely different turn after she met VeryDarkMan. Her social media pages began attracting more attention, her followers increased, and opportunities started coming her way.

How it all started

What makes her story even more interesting is how it began. Many will remember the controversy involving Nedu, when Jojooflele found herself at the centre of public attention, with people discussing her personal life and questioning her actions.

For someone else, that kind of controversy could have been enough to damage their confidence or push them off social media completely.

Instead, Jojooflele turned the attention into something positive. Rather than letting the controversy define her future, she kept building her presence online and eventually became a familiar face among supporters of the Ratel Movement.

A lesson in gratitude

Today, she is in China, reflecting on her journey and publicly appreciating someone she believes contributed greatly to her success.

Jojooflele deserves credit for how she has handled her growing popularity. The right connections can open doors, but what you do with those opportunities matters just as much.

Her appreciation for VDM is also worth acknowledging. In a society where people sometimes forget those who supported them once they start to succeed, publicly recognising someone's contribution says a lot about gratitude.

Setbacks are not the end

Perhaps the biggest lesson here is never to be too quick to conclude that your present difficulties will decide your future. The situation people expect to destroy you can end up introducing you to opportunities you never knew existed.

What looks like a setback today may become part of the story you proudly tell tomorrow.

Over to you

What do you think about Jojooflele's journey from the Nedu controversy to her growing popularity and opportunities abroad?

Davido's loyal aide, Israel DMW, has come out to defend his boss following speculation linking the Afrobeats superstar to an alleged plot to get social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) arrested.

"Oga had no hands in it"

In a post addressed to "Dearest Nigerians", Israel said Davido had no hand in Naira Marley's ordeal during the Mohbad case, nor in any plot to see VDM arrested.

He said those who were in the WhatsApp group linked to the matter got there without Davido's instructions or approval, and that those who told VDM otherwise "fully lied".

Sam Klef, Mohbad's catalogue and Zino

Israel also asked why Davido would have any issue with Sam Klef, and denied that the singer ever asked for Mohbad's music catalogue or tried to sign Zino.

"Naira and oga are cool"

According to Israel, there was serious pressure on Davido at the time to unfollow Naira Marley on Instagram, but he categorically refused, saying he wanted the police to do their job and did not want to act on hearsay.

"Naira and oga are cool," he wrote, adding that the two even made a hit song together.

On an incident at Naira Marley's house, Israel said it involved Tolu 30BG, who had a disagreement with one of Naira's boys, and insisted that nobody was beaten or attacked.

Why the denial matters

VDM is known for speaking openly about controversial issues and challenging influential people, which has earned him both strong supporters and fierce critics. Whenever the names Davido and VeryDarkMan appear in the same controversy, Nigerians are bound to have plenty to say.

Israel's message is straightforward: whatever controversy surrounds VDM, his boss should not be accused of involvement without proof.

It is important to note that the allegations remain unverified. Israel's denial is his own position, and there is no established evidence that Davido took part in any plot to have VDM arrested.

Over to you

Who is actually behind the alleged move to arrest VeryDarkMan, and why is Davido's name being mentioned? Until credible evidence emerges, the public should be careful about turning social media speculation into fact.

NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the Federal High Court ruling that nullified the emergence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) national chairman and the actions taken under his leadership.

"Do not undermine democracy"

In a statement on X titled "Do not Undermine Democracy", Obi said he received the news of the order by the Federal High Court in Abuja "with shock", describing it as "unsettling and surprising".

He was careful to say he was not challenging the court itself. "I do not challenge the ruling of the court. The court of law is constituted to determine disputes according to the law," he wrote.

Uncertainty before 2027

Obi's concern, he explained, is the timing. "My concern is that three months before a general election, it is in the public interest to have certainty. It is not good to have too many uncertainties about candidates and parties a few weeks before a presidential election."

Accusation against the ruling party

He went further, alleging that the instability was "obviously engineered by the ruling party, just as they have done against me in the Labour Party", and that the same approach was being used "to close down civic space for a robust campaign".

Obi also linked it to what he described as violence against opposition campaigns, saying it came "from the same rulebook that manufactures violence against us in our campaigns."

These are Obi's allegations, and the ruling party has not been quoted responding to them in his statement.

A call to the judiciary

Obi called on the judiciary to rise up and protect democracy by making sure opposition parties and their candidates are allowed to take part freely in the electoral process.

Over to you

Is Obi right to worry about the timing of the ruling, or should the court's decision simply be allowed to take its course?

The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) has taken its political campaign to Lagos, and judging by the crowd that turned out, the party appears determined to make its presence felt ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A charged atmosphere

The atmosphere was charged with excitement as supporters gathered to welcome the campaign team. Photos from the event show party leaders addressing the crowd, and streets packed with supporters, many in red caps, cheering and holding up their phones.

For a party seeking to establish itself as a serious political force, such a turnout could be an encouraging sign.

Why Lagos matters

This is Lagos, a state widely regarded as one of Nigeria's most important political battlegrounds and a stronghold of President Bola Tinubu's political influence.

Taking a campaign into Lagos and drawing a large crowd is bound to generate political discussion, especially as opposition parties begin positioning themselves for 2027.

Crowds versus votes

The real question goes beyond the number of people who attended. Can the NDC turn the enthusiasm at its campaign into actual votes when Nigerians return to the polling units?

Nigeria has seen massive political rallies before, only for the election results to tell a different story.

Still, one thing is becoming clear. The political atmosphere ahead of 2027 is gradually heating up, and Lagos will remain a major battleground.

Over to you

Is the crowd at the NDC campaign a sign of growing political support, or is it too early to draw conclusions?

Nigerian singer Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy, has expressed shock over a viral video of a young lady who reportedly blamed her mother for marrying a man who was not financially successful.

Rudeboy's reaction

Reacting to the video on his Instagram story, Rudeboy could hardly believe what he was hearing. "Imagine a daughter blaming her own mother for marrying down, as in marrying a broke man! As in her father! Her own papa!" he wrote.

It is easy to see why the statement caught his attention. Imagine growing up, looking at your parents, and deciding your mother made a terrible mistake simply because your father was not rich.

Social media reacts

The young lady's remarks have stirred plenty of reactions, with many Nigerians asking how someone could speak so openly about her own father's financial situation.

Some believe her comments reflect a growing obsession with money and luxury among young people. Others argue that children who grow up in financial hardship may develop resentment towards their parents, especially when they see other families living more comfortably.

Some social media users have even joked that they will save the video and wait to see the kind of wealthy man she eventually marries. Since she believes her mother chose poorly, they say, the public will be interested to see whether she makes a better choice when her own time comes.

One thing about social media is that people rarely forget statements like this. Years from now, someone may dig up the same video and remind her of what she said about her parents.

The other side

Nobody chooses the circumstances they are born into, and wanting a better life is perfectly understandable. But does that justify publicly blaming a parent for not marrying someone wealthy?

Marriage itself is unpredictable. A man can be comfortable today and lose everything tomorrow, while another can start with almost nothing and become successful years later.

That is why Rudeboy's reaction has become part of a much bigger conversation about money, marriage, parental sacrifice and the expectations children place on their parents.

Over to you

Is the young lady wrong for blaming her mother, or is she simply expressing the frustration of growing up in a financially struggling home?